On this beautiful Fall day, I wore a Dries Van Noten Grey wool tweed blazer, +J Dark Brown cotton stretch button down shirt, Uniqlo dark denim skinny jeans, Dries Van Noten Black faux crocodile belt, JM Weston Black shoes, Hermès Grey/Black cashmere Losange scarf, and a Bottega Veneta Ash Fume soft crocodile tote.

There was no doubt that I would be wearing a few of the +J pieces I acquired since the debut Octoer 1. I am wearing a +J blazer in dark grey stretch wool, +J dark grey button down cotton shirt, Uniqlo black skinny jeans, Pierre Corthay Burgundy Arca shoes, Dries Van Noten Black Moc Croc belt and a Bottega Veneta black bag.

I wore a Junya Watanabe grey wool pinstriped vest, Zara black rayon/cotton long sleeved henley, Uniqlo dark denim skinny jeans, Dries Van Noten black belt and JM Weston black shoes.

I attended the luncheon for Dries Van Noten at Cipriani 42nd Street, where he was honored with the 2009 Award for Artistry of Fashion by the Couture Council Advisory Committee, whose members include Dr. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of the Museum at F.I.T.; Pamela Golbin, curator of the Musée de la Mode; and Julie Gilhart of Barneys New York, among others.

I was also attended the Q&A for students of FIT, which was an intimate affair with less than 100 students present. I asked only one question, "You strike me as the sort of person who does not shop very much. But, I wonder which designers, besides yourself, that you purchase at retail?" I was surprised at Dries' answer. He said that he loves to shop, to see what is new and what is offered by other designers and to explore the environment of retail. He did admit that he is likely to only wear his own clothes, but mostly out of laziness. One visit to his warehouse and he is all set. At least we have shopping in common.

At the end of the Q&A, I was honored to personally meet Dries Van Noten and Dr. Valerie Steele. It was so exciting to meet someone that I have admired for so long.

Black and tan is perfect for early Fall transitional weather. I wore my Martin Margiela tan cotton cardigan all Summer with white jeans and I thought it looked great with my American Apparel black cotton v-neck, Uniqlo black skinny jeans, Dries Van Noten black belt and Paul Smith black dip-dyed brogues. Now that it is Fall, I'll be carrying black bags again. Here is my Hermès HAC in Black Fjord with Palladium hardware.

On this beautiful sunny day I wore a Dries Van Noten blue silk/cotton blazer, J.Crew plaid cotton button down shirt, Uniqlo straight raw denim jeans, Prada brown belt, Hermès brown wingtips and an Hermès dark brown bag.

To end a week that was all about Dries Van Noten, Brenda, my lovely SA at Barneys NY, gave me a copy of the Dries Van Noten Look Book for Fall/Winter '09/'10. Here are some images within the charming blue cloth bound book. Setting the scene are images of the show location: Place du Colonel Fabien, Paris, France. The architectural inspiration is evident in the uniquely austere collection for the designer. Kudos to Dries for casting an Asian model.

It was an honor to attend the Dries Van Noten luncheon today where he received the 2009 Award for Artistry in Fashion by The Couture Council of The Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). What I wore: Dries Van Noten blue silk and cotton blazer, DVN blue and white striped cotton button down shirt with matte gold paillettes, DVN black and brown degrade faux crocodile brogues, DVN black leather belt and Prada navy wool pants.

So, there I was at the Dries Van Noten luncheon where he received the 2009 Award for Artistry in Fashion by The Couture Council of The Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). I'm extremely shy among strangers, but I introduced myself to Phillip Lim and he was extremely kind and warm. I also met Isabel and Ruben Toledo, what a gorgeous and charming pair. Everyone was so nice and I mingled as best I could while trying to capture some photos.

Iman, dressed by Dries Van Noten, looked younger and more beautiful than ever. Phillip Lim's YSL cheetah shoes were perfect. Hamish Bowles looked dashing in a patterned double breasted suit by DVN. Maggie Gyllenhall was a lovely and gracious presenter. Victor De Souza and Michelle Harper made a striking couple. And, yes, when Daphne Guinness made her entrance, I swooned. I am obsessed with the inimitable Daphne Guinness. How does she walk in those shoes?? In the last photo of Daphne, she is chatting with Dries, who was the picture of understated chic and surprisingly at ease.

Today, Dries Van Noten will be honored with the 2009 Award for Artistry in Fashion by The Couture Council of The Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). I am thrilled to have been invited to cover the luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street. I will also be attending a Q&A with the designer tomorrow morning at FIT.



Simon Doonan will emcee and attending members of the Artistic Committe will include Glenda Bailey, Hamish Bowles, Nina Garcia, Daphne Guinness, Iman, Carson Kresley, Ralph Rucci, Andre Leon Talley, Isabel and Ruben Toledo and Diane von Furstenberg.

I really do need an overcoat. I have quite the collection of blazers, but nothing to wear over them in the colder weather. Most of the overcoats I try on are too long and make me feel like I am playing dress up in my father's clothes. Personally, they look best when they hit around the knee. The other problem is that I like my clothes fitted, so if I am tempted to buy an overcoat, I end up buying a size that is too small to fit over a blazer.

Problem solved. This Dries Van Noten Fall/Winter '09 black wool overcoat has amazing details, from the heavy wool melton fabric (that seems indestructible), to the roped shoulders, to the more casual slash pockets (lined in corduroy) to keep my hands warm. Even the thick real horn buttons are beautiful. But the subtle Luxury that pushed me over the edge is the white flannel lining under the collar, a recurring theme in the show, which I will be showing off all winter. I loved trying on the dramatic long double breasted model, but I am not tall enough to carry it off. I bought the shorter single breasted version instead. I have always believed that the simplest things are the hardest to design: The Perfect Black Coat.

Available at IF Boutique Soho (212) 334-4964.